A fun time is guaranteed in the islands' water parks, which includes some of largest in Europe. Adults and children alike will enjoy the most exciting, original attractions imaginable, which feature water as the stellar component.

The passion for horses in the Balearics turns into a sport in the form of exciting harness races or show jumping. No fiesta in Menorca is complete without its purebred horses trained in the island's singular way. A must-see activity, be it at fiestas or the riding schools themselves.

The Balearic Islands subsoil encloses treasures comparable to those on display on the surface. The natural caves that astonished their modern-day discoverers were used as a refuge for animals and prehistoric inhabitants. Artificial light reveals the moving spectacle of these natural stone cathedrals carved out by water over thousands of years.

The town is decorated in medieval style and is filled with lights, colours, sounds and scents that transport visitors to the Middle Ages. The townspeople paint wooden shields with heraldry representing their last names and hang them in the windows and on the balconies of their homes, children make banners to decorate the city streets and coloured ribbons are hung on the streets where the market is located.

In September, the month of the grape harvest, Binissalem celebrates its most important festival, the Festa des Vermar, which for nine days transforms this wine growing town into a hive of activity flowing with fine wine.

On the eve of Midsummer Day, many towns in the Illes Balears celebrate its magical night. Fire is the main attraction, to dance around the bonfires to the beat of the music or to join the ritual of purification.

Several cities and towns in the Illes Balears celebrate the Nit de Sant Joan, including Palma, Calvià, Deià, Muro, Felanitx, Son Servera and Sant Joan, on Majorca; Formentera, the city of Eivissa, Santa Eulàlia des Riu and Sant Joan de Labritja.

Horse Show in Ciutadella
But the event which most represents this festival doubtlessly takes place in Ciutadella, Minorca. The Sunday before St Joan Day, a man roams the streets barefoot dressed in leather, representing the saint and inviting everyone to participate. On the 24th, the enormous square in Ciutadella fills with people to see the caixers, pagesos, the casat, the fadrí, the senyor and the capellà, accompanied by cavallers and the fabioler, who play the shawm. The caracoles of horses mounted by expert horsemen is a worthwhile show

One of the most traditional celebrations in the Balearic Islands, the Saints Day or Fiesta de Sant Antoni, takes place every year on 17th January.

The festival actually starts on the Eve of Sant Antoni, when huge bonfires are lit in the main streets and squares of the town and people dance around the flames. The fire is the real centre of the celebrations, symbolising the ancient ritual of purification and a renewal of life, the triumph of good over evil. Later that same night, everyone toasts bread and the local sausages such as llonganisses, botifarrons, or sobrassada over the embers.

Arta, Manacor, Sa Pobla, alaró Watch video

The town of Sóller celebrates its most popular festival in May. This is the Fires i Festes de Maig, many days of festivities during which the role of the Valentes dones (Brave women) is recalled.

In the 16th Century, in Sóller, at the foot of a valley of the majestic Sierra de Tramuntana, the raids by pirates were constant and the population lived in fear of being plundered again. According to legend, on the 11th May 1561 pirates arrived at the coast and entered the house of the sisters Catalina and Francisca Casesnoves. Far from being terrified, they took the bar which was used for barring the door and managed to kill the corsairs with it, contributing to the town's victory.

Sóller 30th April to 9th May

Festes de la Patrona, el ball dels Cossiers i Simulacre de Moros i Cristians a Pollença

This party is one of the most importants in Pollença. There is a representation of a batle between pollentians and moriscos in 1550. Pollentians won the battle with the help of Joan Mas, that went to the street and lead the battle.

August 2

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